MINISTER OF DIASPORA RECEIVES DELEGATION HEADED BY MAYOR OF VILLEURBANNE

NOYAN TAPAN
MAY 3, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, MAY 3, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian Minister of Diaspora Ms.

Hranush Hakobian on April 30 received a delegation headed by Jean
Paul Bret, Mayor of the French city of Villeurbanne, a deputy of the
National Assembly of France. Among the delegation members was Movses
Nisanian, a member of Villeurbanne’s city council.

At the meeting H. Hakobian spoke about the warm friendly relations
between Armenia and France. She attached importance to the fact that
the French Armenians are law abiding citizens which does not prevent
them from remaining true to their national roots.

Expressing a high opinion about the efforts of the French state in
terms recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide at a state
level, H. Hakobian expressed a hope that the international recognition
of the first genocide of the 20th century would rule out such crimes
in the future.

Informing the mayor of Villeurbanne about the intention to create
a complete history of Diaspora Armenian communities, Ms. Hakobian
proposed that J. P. Bret should set up a commission to examine the
history of Armenians in Villeurbanne.

According to the press service of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the
sides also discussed issues related to the organization of various
cultural events and the implementation of exchange programs.